I helped someone today.

If you’re looking for a volunteer opportunity where you can make a real, immediate difference — join the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region.

You’ll be that reassuring voice, helping people find comfort and hope.

Comprehensive training is provided, so you’ll feel ready and supported every step of the way.

Maybe it’s time you answered the call

We know it can be a big decision to volunteer your time.

Becoming a volunteer crisis line responder to answer calls to our Distress Line when someone is in crisis, distress, or just needs to talk something through, is very different from many other volunteer opportunities available to you.

It’s more serious because it directly affects people in our community. But that also makes it more rewarding. Because at the end of every shift you’ll be able to say to yourself, “I helped someone today.”

The world needs your calm voice

We support people in varying degrees of distress or crisis who are experiencing a wide range of problems including suicidal ideations, abuse or violence, mental or physical illness, bereavement, addictions, sexuality and interpersonal problems, youth-related issues, and unemployment.

Those who get the most out of volunteering with us — and who are most helpful to our clients — are emotionally mature, stable, calm, empathic and extremely good listeners.

We provide comprehensive volunteer training

We don’t expect our volunteers to answer calls on their first day.

Due to the nature of the types of calls we receive, we ensure that all our volunteer crisis line responders receive extensive training and support.

As a volunteer, you will be trained in active listening techniques, communication skills, crisis intervention and suicide prevention/intervention techniques.

These skills help our clients assess their own situations, establish goals and priorities, and link them with pertinent resources in the community.

The Distress Centre’s award-winning volunteer training course is compulsory for all volunteers before answering calls. It allows our volunteers to:

  • Provide callers who are in crisis or distress with immediate emotional support, in response to urgent needs
  • Work collaboratively with callers
  • Communicate genuine concern for each caller
  • Be accepting of the feelings the caller may have and supportive of their decisions
  • Be encouraging and empowering with callers
  • Share knowledge of community resources to allow the caller to be aware of all possible options
  • Follow the direction of professional staff in reference to callers who require a specific management program

Volunteer policies

The service we provide is offered on the understanding that every caller’s right to confidentiality will be respected by all volunteers and staff. As a volunteer crisis line responder, you will need to adhere to this policy.

We ask that our volunteers attend educational training when offered, commit to their assigned four-hour shifts, and apply the training to respond to callers in a non-judgmental, unbiased, and non-directive way.

Ready to apply?

Before you click the Apply Now button, here are a few helpful things to know:

There is a separate application form for individuals aged 55 and older. Our 55+ volunteer program is slightly different for this cohort as it includes no overnight shifts, and a flexible schedule.

Set aside 30- 45 minutes to complete the application form. You can save your work and return later if needed.

You will be asked to provide contact information for three references other than family members or partners.

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Student Practicum

A Student Placement with the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region helps students (ages 19+) gain useful experience to enter the workforce.  Space is limited and the placement is very unique to the Distress Centre.

55+ Volunteers

We want you to join our volunteer team!

Congratulations on this new stage in your life, where you've completed your years of employment and you're enjoying your retirement. Or maybe, you've been a stay-at-home partner in a relationship, and you're now feeling that it's time to start something new.  Maybe you're feeling a void in your life that you want to fill with something good.  Whatever brought you here to look at our 55+ volunteer program, we're happy to have you!

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Volunteer FAQ

How do I apply?  How many hours is the commitment?  What is training like?  What type of background check do you do?  All of the answers you're looking for can be found in this section!

Volunteer FAQ

Must Knows

At all times, our volunteer Crisis Line Responders are required to adhere to the policies of the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region, particularly where confidentiality is concerned. Our policy states, in part "The service provided at the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region is offered on the understanding that callers' rights to confidentiality will be respected by all volunteers and staff".

Volunteer Crisis Line Responders agree that they will:

  • Respond to callers using a non-judgmental, unbiased & non-directive approach
  • Be responsible for the shifts (4 hours in length) assigned to them (failure to report for shifts may result in dismissal)
  • Attend in-service educational training when offered
  • Never breach the confidentiality of a call or disclose the location of the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region to anyone

I'm interested in becoming a volunteer. How do I apply?

The best way to apply for a volunteer Crisis Line Responder position is to complete our online application form.

If you have difficulty accessing the application form or have infrequent access to e-mail, please call the Distress Centre at 613-238-1089 to request that an application form be sent to you by mail.

What kind of commitment does the Distress Centre require?

Once training is complete, volunteers are expected to provide a minimum of 1 year of service to the Distress Centre as a Crisis Line Responder.  This works out to approximately 4 shifts per month.  This commitment can further be broken down as 35 regular shifts and 15 overnight shifts during the year, with all shifts being 4 hours in length.  After the initial 1 year commitment is completed, volunteers may choose to answer calls for help during 1 to 2 shifts per month.

After I apply, what happens next?

Your application will be reviewed by the Distress Centre staff.  During this time, we may contact each of the 3 references you provided to us.  Once a positive response has been received from all references, you may be contacted by a member of our staff for a phone interview.  Following the screening process, you may be invited to join an upcoming volunteer orientation session.  For more information, please refer to the Screening Process section.

NOTE: We strongly recommend that you notify your references in advance that the Distress Centre may be contacting them shortly.

Is there a minimum age restriction to become a volunteer?

Yes.  You must be 19 years or older at the time you submit your application to become a volunteer Crisis Line Responder at the Distress Centre.

How many volunteers are there at the Distress Centre?

Currently, the Distress Centre has approximately 200 active volunteers Crisis Line Responders operating our phone lines!

Are all calls related to crisis and suicide?

In short, no.  While we do answer calls from people who are in crisis or experiencing suicidal thoughts, we also receive calls from people who are simply looking for someone to talk to, from people looking for a community resource to help them, and from people who are just calling to thank us for our services.

What is included in the volunteer training program?

  • 5-6 weeks (59 hours) of comprehensive training on active listening, stress and crisis management
  • 2-day Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) workshop
  • A free copy of the Distress Centre’s comprehensive training manual
  • Access to a complete community resource database to support callers
  • Free on-site parking, 24 hours a day
  • 24/7 support from Team Leaders
  • A formal letter of reference upon completion of the 1 year (200 hours) commitment

 

What benefits can I gain personally from being a volunteer?

Your personal gains will depend on how engaged you are during your experience at the Distress Centre.  Many volunteers will say they:

  • Learned from other individuals on an incredible team of volunteers
  • Received unique training on crucial issues such as how to diffuse crisis and prevent suicide
  • Developed their communication and listening skills
  • Feel better connected to others in the community
  • Feel they have made an impact in the lives of others
  • Gained new perspectives about themselves personally (experiences, feelings and behaviours)

 

What benefits can I gain professionally from being a volunteer?

Being a volunteer at the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region is not only a personally fulfilling experience but there are various benefits for your professional life as well, including:

  • Development of communication and active listening skills to integrate into your professional life
  • Ability to assess and diffuse crisis and/or high stress situations effectively
  • Increased knowledge of local resources available in the community
  • A letter of reference upon completion of your 1 year (200 hours) commitment for community involvement or academic purposes
  • Opportunity for post-secondary placement (specifically for people interested in the mental health field)

Volunteer Screening Process

We ask that you please read the following step-by-step explanation of our screening and selection process prior to submitting your application.

Volunteer Screening Process

Step One: Application Form and Police Records Check 

The first step in our screening process is for you to complete the application form and return it to us.  Filling out our application form is lengthy so we ask that you set aside 30 to 60 minutes so you can take the time to complete it as thoroughly and honestly as possible.  Please note that there are no right or wrong answers to the questions on our application.  All submitted applications are considered strictly confidential.  As a condition of acceptance to our volunteer training program, you will be required to provide a copy of an updated Police Records Check to be kept on file by the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region.  All directors, staff and volunteers are required to provide an updated Police Records Check every two years.

Step Two: References

When we receive your application, more information will be sent to you by e-mail.  The 3 references you provided may be contacted by phone or e-mail.  We ask that you please notify your references prior to applying to ensure that they are comfortable with providing a reference on your behalf.  Your application will not be processed without the names and coordinates of 3 references.

Please note that we cannot accept references from family members and/or partners/spouses.

Step Three: Attend the Pre-Training Orientation Meeting

Once your application has been accepted, we have spoken with your 3 references and received your updated Police Records Check, you are required to attend our Pre-Training Orientation Meeting.  Here, you will join a group of approximately twelve other applicants for a two-hour evening meeting to learn more about the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region.  This meeting is an information session including a questions & answers session.

Step Four: Completion of Training Program

And to conclude, you will be required to attend 2 observation shifts (4 hours per shift) where you will be paired with a veteran volunteer, first to listen to the Crisis Line Responder answering calls and demonstrating the use of the Centre’s technology and, second, to answer calls for help and work with the new technology.

Please Note: 
The Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region respects your privacy.  We are committed to protecting your personal information and adhere to all legislative requirements with respect to your personal privacy.  While applicants may be screened out at any point of our process, you are also in no way obligated to make a commitment to the Distress Centre until acceptance into our training program.

Upcoming Training Dates

October & November 2025

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January & February 2026

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February & March 2026

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